Expert: Ralph Salier - 1/28/2012

Question
QUESTION: Dear Mr. Salier ;
I dog out this old Latch near an abandoned Gold Mine in the Angeles National Forest in California, very old looking and beautifully handcrafted. I have no knowledge of its age or anything else. Any help on a more specific description and from what time this could be would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You for your help.

More photos of this latch can be viewed on my FaceBook Album here:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3168604778654.159351.1371482587&type=3&

ANSWER: Hi Hansi,

Are you by chance using a metal detector to find these objects?  To do so on federal land is quite illegal.  I recommend that you turn it in as a found object.  I  will not turn you in BUT you must stop using your metal detector on federal lands.  

It appears to be Spanish in origin which would not be overly surprising given that many of  the black smiths in southern california into the mid 1880s were Hispanics.  However its age is difficult to determine since things like this were reused frequently.  But it looks like mid 1850's to 1910's.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Ralph

I never used or owned a metal detector in my life. The relics I have found so far in my never-ending digging adventures, have all been recovered on private land only. Although, the Angeles National Forest is Federal, there are still private properties within, that existed before the forest was nationalized. One of those private properties is Singing Springs. A 12 acre land surrounded by many very old and abandoned Gold Mines, some even still active, called the Monte Cristo Area. I had a ranch there for many years, where I was digging for many construction-projects. At one of those diggings I recovered the latch, besides many other artifacts on this property. So far, I have found treasures on all the properties I lived on, located generally in remote mountainous areas with eventful history. For example, here, east of San Diego, on my little ranch, I found those mysterious iron balls, that nobody so far was able to identify as what they really were. Also, wile digging in the hillside for a water-tank flat, I discovered pieces of a stone-bowl, located at least 5 feet beneath the ground. Probably Native Indian.
How would someone determine the age of the latch I found ?
I really cant emphasis enough how I appreciate your input. What a blast.
I hope I'm not to annoying with my questions about my findings.
Thanks You Very Much.

regards, Hansi F. Nufer

Answer
Hi Hansi,

Nope not annoying in any way.  But I am happy to hear that your exploits are not taking place on Federal Lands.  You should also seek permission from land owners to go exploring and permission to "dig".  Digging however does trouble me.  The reason being that there is so much more information in the ground then you can imagine.  Every thing from environmental information to tiny artifacts that most amateurs miss.  The act of digging damages and disorients these materials making it very hard if not impossible to associate materials found through proper excavation methods.

I do understand the allure and fun of finding stuff but it would be best to refrain from digging for these materials and look for surface finds.  I have worked with many Amateurs in the past and they can do a great job of helping Professionals like myself in finding and identifying sites that require additional work.  For instance on of the classes I teach to Amateurs like yourself is proper cataloguing and site identification.  Another class helps to locate, map and report sites to the proper Archaeological authorities etc... If you are interested in learning more, please let me know and I will work with you via the internet to give you the basics so that you can do a great job of helping your fellow pros.  

Send me a photo of  the bowl.  Sound interesting.

Ralph